This Machine Kills

This Machine Kills were a screamo band from Goleta, Santa Barbara, California that were active from approximately 1997 to 2003 (sources vary). They were pretty prolific in terms of releases, with an LP, EP, and multiple splits released over the span of just a few years. Most of you are probably familiar with this band due to their excellent three-way split with Raein and Yaphet Kotto (as well another split with Yaphet Kotto), but their LP Death In The Audoban Ballroom is also worth a listen, especially if you're a fan of In Love With Jetts/The Lady Is A Cat-era Antioch Arrow. And, I can't go without mentioning this, their vocalist was none other than Steve Aoki, better known now as an internationally recognized DJ. Before all that, he was active in the hardcore scene, fun little fact for ya there. I'm missing the Bury Me Standing and JR Ewing splits, so if you have those, let me know! Enjoy.

Demo (1998)

1. Guilty As Fuck

2. Culture Of Protest

3. My Generation

4. Agent Provocateur

5. Collaborator Put Down

6. Everything

On The Move (2000)

1. The Revenge Of John Africa

2. Culture Of Protest

3. Three Hundred & Sixty Degrees

4. Anger Lined With Cement

Envy/This Machine Kills (2000)
1. Envy - A Red Wound Picture

2. This Machine Kills - Forty One Bullets

Death In The Audobon Ballroom (2002)

1. Cracking The Mask

2. Bending The Erotic

3. Giving Testimony

4. Our Histories Have Burned Holes In Your Flag

5. Running With All These Names

6. Breakdown

7. Hearts And Minds

8. Death In The Audobon Ballroom

9. And The Weight Of That Silence Alone Will Choke Us

Yaphet Kotto/This Machine Kills/Envy (2003)

1. Yaphet Kotto - The Fall

2. Yaphet Kotto - Tracing

3. Yaphet Kotto - Momentary Loss Of Breath

4. This Machine Kills - Define Silence

5. This Machine Kills - Carpet Of Gold/Carpet Of Bombs

6. This Machine Kills - Our Histories Have Burned Holes In Your Flag

7. Envy - A Far-Off Reason

8. Envy - Signal

9. Envy - An Adventure Of Silence And Purpose

10. Yaphet Kotto/This Machine Kills/Envy - Untitled

Bread And Circuits

Bread And Circuits were a five-piece post-hardcore/emo band from the Bay Area, California that were active from around 1998 to 1999 (can't fully confirm). They're perhaps best remembered as one of Sarah Kirsch's many excellent projects (whose résume also includes Navio Forge, Fuel, John Henry West, Torches To Rome, Silver Bearing, Please Inform The Captain This Is A Hijack, and more). In Bread And Circuits, she was also joined by Struggle, Swing Kids, and Yaphet Kotto drummer JOse Palafox. Lyrically, they leaned heavily on sociopolitical issues, playing with an intensely energetic sound that clanged angular, melodic guitars against dual shouted vocals. Their sole LP was an Ebullition release, and highly recommended if you're a fan of the previous bands listed. Enjoy.

Bread And Circuits (1999)

1. Trophy Room

2. Hampton's Floor Plan

3. The End Of History

4. Bread And Circuits

5. White Man

6. Statue Of Limitations

7. Bretton Woods

8. Letter From Chase

Bread And Circuits/Former Members Of Alfonsín (2003)

1. Bread And Circuits - Bloodbath

2. Bread And Circuits - Shameful Library

3. Bread And Circuits - Dying By Degrees

4. Bread And Circuits - Nuremberg Principles

5. Former Members Of Alfonsín - Kinetic

6. Former Members Of Alfonsín - Devil's Vocabulary Test

7. Former Members Of Alfonsín - Hurricane

8. Former Members Of Alfonsín - Magic Maker

Struggle

Struggle were a four-piece hardcore band from San Diego, California that were active from 1990 to 1994. Overtly political in their lyricism, they took influence from an emerging wave of dark, frantic, noisy, and abrasive hardcore bands including Downcast, Born Against, and Rorschach. They released one LP, one EP, a split and had one comp appearance, all through the now-legendary Ebullition Records while it was still in its infancy. In a way, they're like a precursor to Swing Kids, as three members of Struggle formed Swing Kids after they disbanded, including Justin Pearson, who later be best known as a member of The Locust, Some Girls, and a thousand other bands. Other members of Struggle would also later join Yaphet Kotto, Unbroken, Bread And Circuits, and tons of others. If you're looking for raw, angry political hardcore with early screamo leanings, Struggle is what you're looking for. It's perpelxing that it took this long to get around to them, but here they are. Included below is their discography release, which includes all their recorded material. Enjoy.

One Settler, One Bullet (1994)

1. Red, White, And You

2. Death of A Friend

3. Envy

4. Pigs On Fire

5. Tradition

6. Real Estate

7. Pain

8. Culture

9. Cement

10. The Untitled

11. Brain Tourniquet

12. War #1

13. Wait A Second

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Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start

Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start (they address it) were a five-piece emo/post-hardcore band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that were active from 1999 to 2008, with reunion shows occurring in 2013 and 2016. They released two full-lengths and a handful of EP's during their initial run. Sonically, they really were all over the place, so any description isn't going to do them any justice. It's a mesh of the angular, syncopated, mathy sound of Faraquet, the noodly arpeggios of Cap'n Jazz, and the melancholic indie anthems of Death Cab For Cutie. They pack a ton of variety into these relatively short songs, making both full-lengths incredibly engaging. Their final LP, the aptly titled Worst Band Name Ever is a little more subdued, so I do slightly prefer And Nothing Is #1, which is the suggested starting point. Even though they predate these bands, if you're into TWIABP, Cstvt, Everyone, Everywhere, Joie De Vivre, or Into It. Over It. (with Evan Weiss even being a member for a short period), I think this will appeal to you. Enjoy.

Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start (1999)

1. Song Competition

2. Working Title

3. I'm Holding Hands With Me

4. Action

5. Walked Out This Season

6. Real Philosophers vs. The Lovers Of Sights And Sounds

5 Songs (2001)

1. Here I Am Away

2. I've Just Seen The Best I'll Ever Be

3. Hopelessly In Like With Me

4. As Usual To Me

5. It Will Be The Month That I Have

And Nothing Is #1 (2003)

1. You Landed So Gracefully

2. I Know You'll Find Out That I'm A Geek

3. My Argument Precedes Me

4. As Usual

5. Help Me Fix My Bike

6. Is That A Terrible Thing To Say?

7. See You In A Month

8. Time Wastes No Time

9. Muscle, When Will I See It?

10. By Surprise

Perris, CA (2004)

1. Down To The Day

2. Come Away

3. Please Come To Me

4. Strike 2

5. Them All

The Internet EP (2005)

1. Are We Seeing This?

2. Dear Erica

3. I'm Growing Out

4. Out To Get Me

5. Track 5

Girls Names (2006)

1. Janet Bateman

2. Melanie Flury

3. Rachel Strayer

4. Robyn Fleshman

Worst Band Name Ever (2007)

1. Shawnee

2. Gas Station Hair

3. I'll Thank You Later

4. Am I A Cricket

5. I Am The Island

6. The Red Loop

7. Christmas Eve 1993

8. 128 Cayuga St

9. Maureen Kehoe

10. Boise

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Kerosene Heights

Kerosene Heights are a four-piece emo/punk band from Asheville, North Carolina that formed in 2021. Their debut full-length dropped last year, which I didn't get around to checking out until now, which is unfortunate because this is right up my alley. They take influence from the punchier bands that came out of the emo revival thing such as Glocca Morra, Snowing, CSTVT, Joyce Manor, Title Fight, etc. They craft these raw, vulnerable songs that are meant to be shouted along to, brimming with energy and catchy melodies. A solid four-track EP was dropped last month, but if you're looking to check out one project, I recommend it be Southeast Of Somewhere, because that is a straight-up collection of bangers. Enjoy.

No More Bad Dreams (2022)

1. In Ur Blud

2. Something Abt U

3. Tired Of Me

4. Built To Chill

5. Pillcrusher

Flint Spark Fire & Ashes (2022)

1. Drunk Uncle - Achilles

2. Drunk Uncle - Stave

3. Kerosene Heights - Van Of Leaves

4. Kerosene Heights - Manatee Shirt

5. Rose Ceremony - Final Rose

6. Rose Ceremony - Take A Moment

7. Thorn Tire - Expel

8. Thorn Tire - Poser

Southeast Of Somewhere (2023)

1. Salty Eyes

2. Same Shade Of Red

3. Last Time

4. Otis

5. Growing Up

6. Kathryn

7. Mission Valley Shopping Center

8. Perfect Timing

9. Going Away

10. In Suspension

11. Next To Nothing

Leaving (2024)

1. Michigan Again

2. Dennis #3

3. Such Great

4. Night Walk Ultra

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The February Stars Union

The February Stars Union were an emo band from Chicago, Illinois that were active sometime in the late 90's. Naturally, there's very little info out there about them, aside from their sole EP and split which are luckily still in rotation online. Sonically, they utilize a fantastic dual vocal approach, also intermingling cleaner, arpeggiated guitars with abrasive, octave-chord climaxes. Basically, if you're into Christie Front Drive, Jejune, Ribbon Fix, Everyone Asked About You, or Eldritch Anisette, this will more than likely appeal to you. Enjoy.

Kicked Out Spokes (1998)

1. Too Intellectual For My Own Good

2. Self-Splitting Used To Be

3. Sunny Morning

4. My Name Is Failure-His Name Is Life

Adults Are Threatening Creatures (1999)

1. The Evergreen Trio - Always In The Afternoon

2. The Evergreen Trio - Incidentally

3. The Evergreen Trio - Only In Good Weather

4. The February Stars Union - And On The Seventh Month You Rested

5. The February Stars Union - Seconds From Something Else

6. The February Stars Union - Our Karass: God's Team (Amerida)

Edith Pike

Edith Pike were a three-piece screamo band from Denver, Colorado that formed in 2022 and disbanded in 2024. In typical fashion, their output is inredibly limited, though showed a surprisiing amount of progression spread across their three releases. Throughout, they do all manage to keep things interesting by integrating a variety of sound, that extends from crushing hardcore influence to delicate arpeggios, all with tortured vocals that use the full range of the gas pedal. I'm trying to catch up on a lot of great modern acts that I've missed in the past few years, and Edith Pike is undoubtedly one of them, so enjoy.

edith pike (2022)

1. tunnel twenty-nine

2. ...then it all came down

3. rushing into a burning home

4. kiss me here beautiful for these are truly our last days

in passing (2023)

1. bigger than a great lake

2. how to play bad golf

3. one

4. a childish crush can destroy your marriage

5. 101 ranch wild west show

6. two

Sisters Of The Blessed Sacrament (2024)

1. herlovebeheadsdaisies - It's Like Holding A Ghost's Hand

2. edith pike - all that's left of you (swan song)

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herlovebeheadsdaisies

herlovebeheadsdaisies were a three-piece screamo band from San Antonio, Texas that formed in 2022 and disbanded in late 2023. I managed to miss their sole release (up until a recent split), which was their fantastic LP carving initials up until now. This thing is raw, anguished, and genuinely timeless, as it'd be very hard to place a release date on it if you just heard it. The arpeggios are moody and melancholic, with climatic explosions of chaotic fury. They're kind of like a lower-fi and skramz-ier I Hate Myself or The Spirit Of Versailles, though don't read too much into that comparison. It's a solid album for the saddest of hours, enjoy.

carving initials (2023)

1. wisconsin

2. pave today, burn tomorrow

3. Thank You DubNation! (the page will never be long enough)

4. deer man

5. empyrean

6. ophelia

7. the I see fire in her eyes one

8. riverbed

9. broth

Sisters Of The Blessed Sacrament (2024)

1. herlovebeheadsdaisies - It's Like Holding A Ghost's Hand

2. edith pike - all that's left of you (swan song)

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Widowdusk

Widowdusk are a five-piece screamo band from California that formed in 2022, while its members were still in high school and played their final show in December of 2023. This is one band I've been meaning to share for a while now, as I was blown away the first time I heard their EP I know where we're at, not where we're going a while back, especially its wonderfully anguished lyricism. With the release of their eclectic debut LP via the always-incredible Zegema Beach Records this year, they went straight to the top of the list of posts to be done. I don't have much else to say; in just a few short years they've become one of modern screamo's must-listen acts, so I implore everyone to check this out, since this band is right up this blog's alley.  Enjoy.

woodbury town centre (bedroom demo) (2022)

1. woodbury town centre (bedroom demo)

I know where we're at, not where we're going (2022)

1. knots

2. I don't need you, or a drink

3. Oct. 26

4. selfless

5. holding on

random songs (live recordings) (2023)

1. untitled 1, live in my garage (4/8/23)

2. holding on, live in nate's room (11/19/22)

3. knots, live at my house (9/30/22)

4. well here's this, live in nate's room (11/19/22)

5. Oct.26, live in my gargae (4/8/23)

6. untitled 2, live in nate's room (11/19/22)

7. untitled 3, live at badlands (1/14/23)

widowdusk/ihuntmonsters (2023)

1. widowdusk - I'm sitting, watching all my dreams die in front of me

2. widowdusk - I'm standing, completely vulnerable

3. ihuntmonsters - Cue the Burning Sensations

4. ihuntmonsters - Oh No! My Package "Did Not Arrive"

5. ihuntmonsters - Do You Remember The Time We Ran Across The Freeway

Widowdusk (2024)

1. take a trip

2. Fucking assholes and their compact cars!

3. It's a Kurt thing, YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND

4. Australia hates you (JVB song)

5. Sleep through it

6. Siamo Cowboy Senza Pistole!

7. the one where we chant

8. Meow!

9. Let's dance to the rhythm of love

10. Stand by me, in Nate's car

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Heanvely Blue

Heavenly Blue are a seven-piece screamo outfit from Detroit, Michigan that have been active since 2021, evolving from the band Youth Novel. I went to add a link to my Youth Novel post to explain the backstory there. Turns out, they're one of many bands that slipped through the cracks, as there is no post on them. Thus, I'll either add their material here or make a separate post entirely, time permitting. In summary, Youth Novel were from Ann Arbor, they formed in 2012 and disbanded in 2016. A few members reunited in 2020, but by 2021 there were no original members left. They changed the name, and three years down the line released their first material under this moniker. We Have The Answer came out in April of this year via Jeremy Bolm's Secret Voice label. Though it's technically a debut, the band already sounds honed and refined, brimming with dynamic energy. The vocals are varied, with rolling drums, syncopated riffs, and worming melody abound. If you're into Jeromes Dream, Gillian Carter, or Frail Body, this is a record not to miss this year. Enjoy.

We Have The Answer (2024)

1. Davos

2. We Have The Answer

3. Pando

4. Glass So Clear

5. Certain Distance

6. Static Violence Speaks Static To Me

7. ...And Like That, A Year Had Passed

8. A Part Of Me, A Part Of You

9. Looming

10. Heat Death Parade

11. All Of The Pieces Broke

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